Mitchell, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University athletic department will induct seven individuals into the DWU Athletic Hall of Fame on October 11th, 2024. The individuals to be inducted this year include athletes, Kardel Miller ‘94, Anthony Muilenburg ‘13, Nicole Court-Menendez Porter ‘16, Tamika Irvin (Robinson) ‘12, Darrin Mebius ‘98, John Hemenway and Scott Loveless ‘04.
Miller, a 1994 Dakota Wesleyan graduate, finished second in the conference in ‘90 as a quarterback and punter in net punting yardage. He was named First Team All Conference in ‘93 as well as an Honorable Mention All American. That same year he led the team in tackles and interceptions while also recording two of those interceptions vs BHSU. During his time on the team, they achieved an undefeated regular season in ‘92 and SDIC Conference Champions in ‘92 and during his year as captain in ‘94. In his final year he led the team in pass deflections while also. (Mention Free Safety 92-94). Kardel currently resides in Frisco, TX as a Director of Maintenance and Operations Prosper ISD with his wife Kim and two sons, Mitchell and Grant.
Muilenburg, a 2013 Dakota Wesleyan graduate, was the first DWU football player to earn All-GPAC while also having multiple All-GPAC honors afterwards. Anthony had the longest reception yards: 99, which became a record in ‘11. He had the longest Kickoff Return for touchdowns in ‘09, 88 yards; career high Single Game receiving yards, 251; third all-time career receiving yards: 2,825; third all-time single season receiving yards: 1,002; most receptions in a career during 09’-13’, 225; and fourth all-time single season receptions: 65. Anthony was named AFCA First and Second Team All-America and Beyond Sports Network Third Team. He had First Team honors at two different positions in the same year as Wide Receiver and Punt Return Specialist. During his time he was also voted as team captain and most outstanding Wide Receiver. Received Most Valuable Player; Rookie of the Year; Player of the week honors and multiple offensive and Special Teams. He currently resides in Allen, SD as an assistant Business Manager at American Horse School with his Fiance, Shawna Evans, son Myles and Mikhail, and daughter Mesa.
Nicole, a 2016 Dakota Wesleyan graduate, was named First Indoor All American in school history while also being a school record holder. She had the most All-Americans by a female Track and Field Athlete; five time All-American. Nicole was an eight time National Qualifier in outdoor and indoor Racewalk from 2013-2016 with times of 14:59.6 in the 3000m indoor; 26:38.2 5000m outdoor; and 59:29.37 10,000m outdoor. Ranked number two and three all time list Outdoor 4x800m relay; number seven all time list Indoor 1000m run; number two and five all time list Indoor 4x800m relay. She received a 2013 Junior Championship in the 10,000m Racewalk getting seventh place. While also in 2015 landing in fourth place in the USATF one hour Racewalk. Nicole currently resides in Omaha, NE as an Athletic Trainer for Omaha Public Schools with her husband, Daniel Porter.
Tamika, a 2012 Dakota Wesleyan graduate, recorded the first Female All American and two time All American in the 100m and 200m. She achieved 11 school records; 12 top 10 records while also being a five time GPAC Champion. Tamika was an indoor five time career All GPAC and a five time career outdoor All GPAC. She currently resides in Denver, CO as a personal trainer with her husband, Jason Robinson.
Mebius, a 1998 Dakota Wesleyan graduate, was a four year starter of the Tiger basketball team. During his career, he had 1,329 career points, 345 career assists, and is currently 29th all-time leading scorer in DWU history. Mebius collected a few awards while playing on the team including, Tiger Rookie of the Year Award, Tiger Team Hustle Award, Tiger Best Defensive Player Award and SDIC All Conference 1st and 3rd Team, and NAIA Division II All American- Honorable Mention. The team was named SDIC Conference Champions in ‘95. In addition to competing for the basketball team, Mebius was a part of the golf team for three years and the baseball team for one year. During his time on the golf team, they were SDIC Conference Champions in the fall of ‘95. The men’s golf team qualified for the national golf tournament in the spring of ‘96 which was the first time in team history. In ‘97 he was named Most Valuable Player. Mebius currently resides in Hartford, S.D. with his wife Hedi and three children, Connor, Chase and Caralina.
Hemenway, head men’s basketball coach from 05’-10’, received a quote from one of his previous athletes, Brady Wiebe. When asked about his previous coach, Wiebe replied, “Outside of my parents, I don’t know of another person that has had a bigger impact on my life. He taught me and my teammates so much more than how to play the game of basketball. He taught us to have accountability or ownership for our actions. He taught us how critical it was to not be too high or too low in stressful situations. He expected so much out of his players, but that expectation was welcomed because we knew how much he put on his own shoulders as he gave literally everything he could as a coach and mentor. Coach Hemenway lead by example. I’m so grateful that coach took a chance on me 17 years ago. It has lead to so many great memories and many lifelong friendships that I treasure to this day.”
The final individual to be inducted, Loveless, was a two time National Qualifier for wrestling. He was a first time All American and was voted Most Valuable Wrestler his senior year. Before his time ended at DWU he was able to coach one season while student teaching and finishing his degree. Scott currently resides in Elkhorn, NE as a teacher and coach at Millard Public Schools with his wife Rachel, daughter Brianna, and son Austin.